“Look here, Clarence, haven't you been too extravagant in buying such expensive carpets, such fine furniture? For gracious sake, how big is the bill for all this grandeur?”
“I don't know yet the price of every item, but don't be alarmed, I am sure they would not go beyond the limit I gave Hubert (Hubert made the purchases), and I assure you, it will all be paid with our volunteer crop.”
“Don't be sure of that.”
“O, but I am sure—only not too much so—which is the right way of being sure,” he replied.
Clarence was now a regular caller at the Alamar and the Mechlin houses. He felt that in both places the welcome he received was sincere, for even the silent Gabriel was always ready to talk to him. As for Victoriano, his attachment to Clarence was now an acknowledged and accepted fact,—not rejected by Señor Alamar, to judge by appearances,—and certainly fully and sincerely reciprocated by Clarence. Both found great pleasure in each other's society, and saw each other every day.
It was now time for Clarence to go to Alameda to bring down the family. He and Victoriano talked about it walking towards the Alamar house from the Darrells, discussing the probable time of his return.
“Clarence has come to bid us good-by,” said Victoriano, walking into the parlor, followed by Clarence.
“Why! Where is he going?” said Mercedes, rising, dropping the book she was reading.
“Don't be alarmed, he is only going to bring his mother and sisters down,” added Victoriano, maliciously, causing the blood to rush to her forehead.
“Oh!” she exclaimed, sitting down, with a resentful look toward her brother, and a half appealing, half deprecating one to Clarence, who was contemplating her in ecstatic silence.